Photo courtesy of Mayo Clinic
Despite what is considered a large number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in northeast Arkansas, local officials say the numbers here are normal. Officials with the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro say six cases have been reported in Craighead County this year. From 2021 through this year, a total of 27 cases have been reported, but health officials say there are likely even more undetected cases.
Jennifer Hawkins is an Infection Preventionist at Baxter Health in Mountain Home. She says traditionally, there are not many cases in the Twin Lakes Area annually.
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Hawkins explains what the disease is and how it is spread.
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There are several symptoms to watch for when it comes to TB.
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Hawkins says if you have those symptoms, you should contact your primary care physician.
She says there is a vaccination for TB, but generally it is not given in the United States.
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